AI drone rescues lost hikers in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia
Consensus Summary
Two hikers in their 20s were rescued within five hours in Kosciuszko National Park after veering off the Dead Horse Gap track near Jindabyne. Fire and Rescue NSW deployed an AI-powered drone equipped with thermal imaging, which detected their location 35km southwest of Jindabyne. The drone’s built-in speaker and spotlight guided rescuers, reducing search time from potentially days to under five hours. This marks the first successful use of FRNSW’s AI drone system for missing person rescues. Both sources confirm the hikers suffered mild exposure but declined medical treatment. The technology, introduced statewide over the past 18 months, features four cameras and augmented reality mapping to improve search operations. FRNSW officials highlighted its potential to minimize rescuer risks and eventually deliver overnight care packages to stranded individuals.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Two hikers in their 20s were reported missing at 7pm on Tuesday (2026-06-24) while hiking the Dead Horse Gap track, 35km southwest of Jindabyne, Kosciuszko National Park
- The hikers were found about 500 meters (0.5km) off the track by an AI-powered drone using thermal imaging within five hours of being reported missing
- Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) used a remote air piloted system (drone) equipped with thermal imaging and AI detection to locate the hikers
- The drone’s built-in speaker contacted the hikers, and its spotlight guided rescuers to their location, reducing search time from potentially days to under five hours
- FRNSW Inspector Phillip Eberle stated the technology reduced search time by several days and minimized risks for rescuers
- The hikers suffered mild effects of exposure but declined medical treatment at the scene
- This was the first time FRNSW’s AI drone detection system was used to rescue missing people
- The drone features four cameras, including infrared, allowing real-time analysis of thousands of images to detect humans, vehicles, and animals
- FRNSW hopes to advance the technology to drop overnight care packages to stranded individuals to reduce rescuer risks
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Inspector Russell Turner, FRNSW Aviation Unit team leader, stated the drone’s AI system can identify humans, vehicles, vessels, and other moving heat sources, pinging their exact location on screen
- The drone includes augmented reality mapping to display fire trails, bush tracks, and roads during search operations
- The AI-powered drone upgrade was introduced statewide over the past 18 months
- Inspector Turner mentioned the system could monitor conditions like dead fish in creeks affected by chemical spills
- The hikers used a red light on a mobile phone to attract the drone in the dark
- Fire and Rescue commander John Marzol urged hikers to notify the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) before treks and register for free Personal Locator Beacons
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian specifies the hikers were found 'about half a kilometre off the track,' while ABC states 'about 500 metres off the walking track' (both are equivalent, so no contradiction).
Source Articles
Hikers lost in Kosciuszko national park rescued within five hours by AI drone
Fire and Rescue NSW uses thermal imaging and a mobile phone red light to quickly locate men who veered off walking track near Jindabyne Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Two hikers who veered off a walking track in Kosciuszko national park have been found within five hours using a drone powered by artificial intelligence, a first-of-its-kind mission, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has said. The two men, aged in their 20s, were reported missing at 7pm on Tuesday evening af
Hikers lost near Kosciuszko found by artificial intelligence drone
Rescuers were able to locate the hikers less than five hours after they were reported missing.